Housing crisis to top the agenda as coalition talks resume

The housing crisis is expected to top the agenda when coalition talks resume today.

Fine Gael has reportedly offered the first concrete deal to Independents and smaller parties as they try to form a minority Government.

Enda Kenny’s party sent a discussion document to those taking part in talks last night.

It is the first concrete deal since the post-election stalemate began.

The Irish Examiner claims it contains promises to create a new Minister for Housing, an eight-week housing action plan and suggests ways to cut down on empty homes. There are also proposals to cut the amount of VAT on new homes.

The file, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner and includes 37 separate policy suggestions in response to last Thursday’s day-long negotiations on housing, contains no figures on how much any of the plans will cost.